Event Summary

The Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC) held its 8th Annual Symposium in July in a face-to-face event at the Carrillo-Gantner Theatre, The University of Melbourne. The theme this year was A date with data: using data to influence ageing policies and practice. The Symposium presented sessions that addressed data in all its forms and how it can be used in ageing research. The program featured a wide range of distinguished presenters who are leading experts in their fields - in different types of data and its use, from big data to local data. Attendees were treated to data in three specific themes:

1. The collective power of large sample sizes: an exploration of big data
2. Data in the healthcare setting-examples of data driving local change and
3. Responsibility and protection of data.

Associate Professor Lucio Naccarella, University of Melbourne welcomed the attendees to the Symposium as the Carrillo-Gantner Theatre as MARC partner and hosting organisation on the day. He was followed by MARC Director Debra O’Connor who officially opened the Symposium Program by welcoming the attendees and presenters, and thanking the J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust, the Victorian Department of Health and MARC partners for their ongoing support. She also introduced Kerry Hwang, Research Assistant, MARC Division, National Ageing Research Institute who chaired the symposium and Associate Professor Frances Batchelor, Co-Acting Director and a Principal Research Fellow at NARI and Research Lead, MARC, who chaired the afternoon speaker panel discussion.

Download the 8^th Annual MARC Symposium speaker presentations